 Photo: Torbjørn Kjosvold/Forsvaret Andreas Østhagen, June 6, 2016 When the relationship between Russia and the West deteriorated in 2014, military-to-military contact between the parties halted. Despite this, most forms of cooperation between the various coast guards in the Arctic have been untouched. Why? Beyond the virtue of maintaining cooperation for the sake of dialogue, the vitality of this specific form of cooperation lies in the so-called soft security tasks intrinsic within the coast guards’ role as maritime stewards. In addition, meticulous low-level regime-building has been taking place in the Arctic between Russia and its maritime neighbours for decades. Holding two opposing ideas at the same time, both Norway and the United States have recognized that cooperation on low-level coast guard issues can be kept separate from a strong symbolic response in reaction to Russian actions in Ukraine. | Newsletter Sweden and its citizens are still debating the benefits and pitfalls of joining NATO. Russia has made some of the pitfalls clear by informing Sweden of the consequences of this decision. Some claim that Sweden joining NATO could in fact jeopardize opportunities for Sweden in the North (Global Risk Insight). This week, however, Sweden decided to ratified a deal that will allow for closer contact with NATO (IBO). Commentary Ragnhild Groenning, June 2, 2016 As geopolitical tensions grow in the rest of the world, the Arctic Council remains an effective forum for international cooperation between arctic states, including Russia and the US. This is largely due to the members’ commitment to keep the forum depoliticized. Bringing military security issues into the Arctic Council could risk damaging the current cooperation and coordination between arctic states and indigenous communities on important issues such as climate change, environmental issues, health, and scientific research. |
 Photo: Malte Humpert Commentary Kathrin Keil, May 26, 2016 The Executive Summary of the Review of Denmark’s Foreign and Security Policy from May 2016 highlights that “[i]n light of the increased military presence and activity level in the Arctic, it should be explored whether there is support for a discussion forum on security policy related to the Arctic.” Peter Taksøe-Jensen, Danish Ambassador to the United States and author of the piece, is not the only one calling for Arctic governance structures—especially the Arctic Council—to finally consider traditional, military security issues. |  Photo:Martin Breum Analysis Marc Jacobsen, May 4, 2016 The only reason why Denmark is an Arctic state is because Greenland is part of the Danish Realm. Without Greenland, Denmark would lose the opportunity of sitting at the table with great powers such as Canada, Russia, and the United States; something which is quite unique for a small state like Denmark. It is of primary importance that Denmark take utmost care of the relationship with Greenland and treat any possible disagreements between Nuuk and Copenhagen with great mutual respect. |  Photo:European Commission Analysis A new Arctic Communication by the EU is supposed to set the stage for an “integrated EU Arctic policy.” Read our three-part analysis: Part I analysed the very meaning of an “integrated EU Arctic policy”. Part II discussed the most visible aspects of this progress: the EU’s approach towards the European Arctic. Part III contextualized the Communication in the broader circumpolar setting of Arctic cooperation. |
 Infographic:: Greg Workman Analysis Victoria Herrmann, April 26, 2016 Climate change is about more than just carbon emissions. Globally, methane (CH4) is the second most emitted greenhouse gas. And though its lifespan in the atmosphere is much shorter than carbon dioxide, its impact on climate change is 25 times greater over a 100-year period. |  Photo:Kris Krüg, Flickr Analysis Daria Shapovalova, April 21, 2016 Black carbon has been high on the political agenda of the Arctic Council, and for good reasons. It is believed that immediate reductions of black carbon (BC) emissions might slow the Arctic warming in the next decades… |  Photo: Deutsch Roemer Podcasts |
 Map: Patrick Kelley Reports |  Map: The Arctic Institute Maps |
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